Ben Carson at The National Prayer Breakfast

Check out Orrin Woodward’s post from last week showing Ben Carson at the National Prayer Breakfast speaking the truth. I will let the write up by Mr. Woodward and the video speak fot itself, but I will add that when truth is spoken it is music to the ears! Thank you Mr. Carson for having the courage to speak the truth no matter who is watching.

Enjoy, Steve Leurquin

 

Dr. Ben Carson at the National Prayer Breakfast

Posted by Orrin Woodward on February 14, 2013

I woke up early this morning excited to watch Benjamin Carson’stalk at the National Prayer Breakfast. So many people have emailed me the link and said it reminded them of concepts shared by Oliver DeMille and me in the soon-to-be-released book LeaderShift. There is a law of life, similar to the one in science, that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Today, America is drifting further and further towards a socialist nanny state; thankfully, however, a reaction is rising amongst leaders from all fields of life who are concerned about the direction of our society and are willing to do something about it. I sincerely believe that character-based leadership is needed more today in America than at any point since the founding of our nation.

Ben Carson, in this speech, made a stand for truth on education, history, and leadership. Not surprisingly, many of the concepts discussed in Dr. Carson’s speech are outlined in LeaderShift to help solve our national malaise. In other words, concerned Americans are not alone. Nonetheless, we need many more leaders to stand up and launch the LeaderShift! When faced with great challenges, the citizen’s choices reduce to two main paths: either shrink into silence and oppression or rise into leadership and liberty. What choice will the reader make? I believe we are entering great times for courageous leaders to live.

Sincerely,

Orrin Woodward

Battle of The Mind

The state of Wisconsin has the honor of having one of the top leaders in the leadership industry teach in our own back yard this January. As a successful physical therapist, Kirk Birtles used the principles he now teaches to gain freedom in his time and finances. He is also well sought after for his humorous speaking style teaching the success principles he lives everyday in his relationships.

I provided a post from Kirk Birtles‘ blog to give everyone a small Scooby Snack of what they have a chance to learn next month.

Enjoy, Steve Leurquin

When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

One of the biggest success principles I have learned from being involved with Orrin Woodward and the Life business is, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’.  Being a tough, thought-reframing, pain-ignoring, conflict-resolving, overcoming and problem-solving man or woman is a big part of what it is all about to be a true success.  As you probably noticed, the saying is not ‘if’ it gets tough, its ‘when’ it gets tough.  We will all face obstacles, challenges on our success journey.  The question is will we be ready to face these mini-golliaths as they come up on the road to success. We have all heard the old cliche statements like, ‘success is always on the other side of inconvenience’, ‘dream, struggle, victory’, and ‘The greater the obstacle, the greater the glory’, etc….  The more I dig into leadership and success, the more I am convinced that all these cornball statements are absolutely true!  God has equipped us all with abilities way beyond what we currently believe.  Let’s have the faith and trust in this to be tough and see it through.

As I am sitting here in my office thinking of what to write next, I look around at my bookshelves chocked-full of biographies of the most successful & tough people that have ever lived.  People like Winston Churchill, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ernest Shackleton, Sam Walton, Tom Monaghan, Jackie Chan, Chuck Yeager, Jay Leno, Jim Elliot, Vince Lombardi, Cal Ripken, the apostle Paul, Theodore Roosevelt, and countless others.  People who are or have been the best in the world at their respective craft, but at the same time have proven to be about as tough as you can get.  There is a definite correlation between ‘success’ and ‘toughness’.  In other words, if you want to have more success and move on in life, it’s time to TOUGHEN UP!

Here are 5 ‘Toughness’ life categories and some tips and resources to help you toughen up:

For the rest of the article, click the following link: 

http://kirkbirtlesblog.com/2012/12/06/when-the-going-gets-tough-the-tough-get-going/

Power of Personality

Recently I read a post from Author and community leader of thousands Tim Marks. The two things I respect about Tim Marks is his perspective he brings from his own life and his humility in knowing that he can learn something from anybody. Enjoy His perspective on a great book that has helped many in all 8f’s of their lives. Steve Leurquin

 

Four Personality Temperaments

Published October 12, 2012 | By Tim Marks

As we each build our leadership communities, one thing that quickly becomes obvious is that people are unique!  Everyone has their own history, their own list of accomplishments, their own family situation, their favorite sport, favorite food, and their own personality style.  Despite all of the differences, when you start spending a lot of time with a lot of people over the years, you start to see some patterns in behavior emerge.  For example, you see that certain people are shy, and certain people are really confident.  Some people really love details and tasks, and some people just love to be around friends.  With practice, you can start to recognize the general patterns in people’s personalities, it can help you understand them a little better and relate to them more successfully.

 

Recognizing the different personality styles is nothing new.  People have been studying other people for as long as people have been around!  For example, a very famous Greek Philosopher named Hippocrates (after whom the Hippocratic Oath for medical practitioners is named) believed that in order to be healthy, your body needed equal amounts of four specific liquids. He called these liquids “humors” and they listed them as black bile, yellow bile, phlegm (“flem”), and blood. If you got sick, Hippocrates and his students thought it was because you had too much of one of these humors. So, they tried to cure you by removing some of those fluids! (Not always successfully, mind you, and not a very wise decision to begin with.  Just imagine the conversation!  “Hey Pythagoras, you still sick?  Well, let’s drain off a few quarts of that yucky blood stuff you’ve got inside and see if that doesn’t put some spring in yer step!”)

Fast forward a few thousand years and we humans are still trying to figure out ourselves and the people around us!  Luckily, some very smart people have done a lot of the heavy lifting for us.  A wonderful author, Florence Littauer, has written a great book to help us understand the four personality types.  That book is Personality Plus, available through the LIFE website, and I really recommend you get a copy and start to master your understanding of the four personalities!   Why take the time to learn more about our personality style, as well as the people around us?  Because by better understanding ourselves, we know who we really are and why we react the way we do in certain situations.  We can recognize our strengths and amplify them, and we can be aware of our weakness and manage them more effectively.  When I got started in community building, my upline leaders Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady both took me aside and gently suggested that I learn more about the Choleric personality and study some people skills books, because my demanding choleric nature was a definite weakness for me!  So, let’s dive into our four personality styles: Melancholy, Phlegmatic, Sanguine, and Choleric!  (And yes, Melancholy’s, I know that isn’t in alphabetical order… it’s not the end of the world!)

Sanguine

This is the outgoing, people-oriented social-type. Sanguines are also known as the “Popular” type. They enjoy fun, socializing, chatting, telling stories – and are fond of promising the world, because that’s the friendly thing to do. A Sanguine gets on well with people and can get others excited about issues, but cannot always be relied upon to get things done. They love interacting with others and play the role of the entertainer or center of attention in group interactions. They have a tendency to over-promise and under-deliver.   A Sanguine would benefit from LISTENING more and letting other people tell stories… and not trying to upstage them!  As well, if you are a Sanguine and don’t know the correct answer, DON’T make up the numbers… the Melancholy’s will spot you doing it and you’ll lose their respect!  Some famous examples are Bill Clinton, Robin Williams, Kelly Ripa and Richard Simmons.

Melancholy

This is the reserved, task-oriented cautious type. Melancholies are also known as the “Perfect” type.  Their typical behavior involves thinking, assessing, making lists, evaluating the positives and negatives, and general analysis of facts. They love maps, charts and graphs. They are usually the most intelligent of the four types; however they tend to dwell on details. A Melancholy is a planner, making sure things happen, although sometimes they can paralyze themselves with over-analysis. Lists and “doing things the right way” are characteristics of this personality type.  Melancholy’s need to loosen up and let their hair down.  No one is perfect, even if a Melancholoy tries to be.  Don’t be so hard on yourself when you make a mistake… you are probably your own toughest critic.  Probably no one else noticed, so you don’t need to point out your error.  Remember that Cholerics and Sanguines are bored to tears with details, even if you find the details interesting.  When presenting to them, try to summarize the key points and move on.  Some famous examples are Hillary Clinton, Bill Gates, and Beethoven.

Phlegmatic

This is the reserved and people-oriented type. They are easy going, laid back, nonchalant, unexcitable and relaxed.  Desiring a quiet and peaceful environment above all else. They tend not to actively upset people, but their indifference may frustrate people. They try not to make decisions, and generally go for the status quo. They are good as mediators because they don’t usually have many enemies. Phlegmatics are also known as the “Peaceful” type; they tend to want everyone to get along and not rock the boat.  They also have a “dry” and quick sense of humor. Phlegmatic leaders may not move as quickly as real Cholerics, but they can be just as—or even more—effective.  They may not work harder, but they just may work smarter!  If you are a Phlegmatic, you don’t have to say “yes” to every request… sometimes other people will take advantage of you if you don’t set up some boundaries and say “no” once in a while.  Some famous examples are Calvin Coolidge, Tim Duncan, and Keanu Reeves (Not his Matrix action-hero character, mind you… His Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure surfer character.)

 

Choleric

I’ve put Cholerics last so that they can practice being patient and recognize that they aren’t always the alpha male in the room!  🙂  This is the outgoing and task-oriented style.  Choleric are dominant, strong, decisive, stubborn and sometimes even arrogant.  Cholerics are also known as the “POWEFUL” type.  They tend to be good leaders because they are driven to get things done.  Unfortunately, they might offend some people along the way by not taking their feelings into account and stepping on some toes.  We joke that they are often wrong but never in doubt!  Cholerics often have the answers; they know what to do; they can make quick decisions; they bail others out in a jam—but they can struggle with being popular because their assurance and assertiveness make others feel insecure, and their ability to lead can easily make them appear bossy. Powerful Choleric should try to soften their approach with people while maintaining their amazing work ethic and results so that others will celebrate the Cholerics and not be offended by them.  As Orrin Woodward’s amazing wife Laurie Woodward has said, “The #1 job of Cholerics is to love your people.”  Some famous examples are Donald Trump, General Patton and Bill O’Reilly.

So we’ve briefly touched on each of the four personalities, but it gives you a good introduction to them.  It’s my hope this blog inspires you to devour Personality Plus.  One thing to always remember: no personality style is better than the other.  Each has strengths and weaknesses.  Each style is complemented by someone else…. Which is why working as part of a team can be so powerful!  If you haven’t done so, take the time to read this book and learn about these styles.  If you’ve read the book once, read it again and master it!  You’ll discover the people around you are amazing!

 

What A Year!

It has been 1 year since LIFE has launched and what a year it has been! Lives are being changed with close to $2 million in bonuses alone be paid out to a community of independent thinkers.

This past weekend we celebrated the 1 year mark with a huge leadership convention. The amount of recognition was off the charts and this was only the tip of the iceberg! Check out a recent post by LIFE Founder Orrin Woodward as he highlights this amazing event. Enjoy, Steve Leurquin

LIFE Business Major Function

Posted by Orrin Woodward on October 29, 2012

It’s Monday morning after an amazing LIFE Business Major Convention. Thousands of people were recognized on stage for achieving new pins, numbers, and vacations.  From Thursday night through early Sunday afternoon, the LIFE community experienced it best information and inspiration weekend ever. The teams within the community have united together to break more power players than ever before.

With speakers the caliber of Chris and Terri Brady, Tim and Amy Marks, Claude and Lana Hamilton, Bill and Jackie Lewis, George and Jill Guzzardo, Dan and Lisa Hawkins, Mark McDonald, and Pastor Stephen Davey, I knew it was going to be a great weekend. However, what put it over the top was the enthusiasm and belief of the attendees. Never before have so many people advanced in the business and that belief spread to everyone attending the event.

There were many magic moments in Columbus. If you attended the event, please share you magic moments and key nuggets you are taking away from the major to grow. The LIFE Business is changing the world one person at a time!

Sincerely,

Orrin Woodward

There Is No Tomorrow

A few years ago my daughter asked me if I could build her a tree house. “At this time I can not because we are trying to sell our house and I wouldn’t want to build something and then have to leave it”, was the reason I told her. The next year my excuse was that I didn’t have the time because we were running pretty hard for some goals. The next year came and my reasoning switched again to not having a proper tree to put up a good treehouse. My daughter patiently waited.

Then one night I sat up in bed almost in a cold sweat realizing my daughter is not getting any younger. She is 10 years old. In three years she most likely will not care about having a treehouse and in eight years she will be out on her own. The realization hit me because I didn’t want to look back on my time with her and realize I missed out on a father-daughter moment of being the hero to her. This is something her and I can do together and she will have a lifetime memory of what her daddy and her did together back when she was ten and who knows, maybe her kids will someday be able to play in it.

I’m proud to say that we have begun the process of building the treehouse and we are having so much fun doing it together as a family.

You know the real reason why I never started building the tree house? …….I’m not very handy and I had no idea how to start. I was afraid to do something I had never done before and the fear kept me from taking the first step. I wonder how many people in life get to their deathbeds filled with regret because of all the things they never accomplished on account of fear of not knowing how to start?

What goal in your life are you not taking the first step toward because you’re afraid to start. Well guys, I know that if I had never built my daughter a tree house I would have looked back a few years from know with regret knowing I had missed a great parent-child opportunity. Take the first step, you won’t regret it!

I love this clip from Rocky III as a message of don’t put off until tomorrow what you know you want to start today. Be advised, there is some minor swearing around minute 3:50, but the message of “There is not tomorrow!” is one we all need to hear.

Enjoy, Steve Leurquin

Attributes of Great Achievers

Why do some people born with average ability achieve greatness while others with much more talent never reach the full God-given potential inside them? Author Cameron C. Taylor in 8 Attributes of Great Achievers studied hundreds of great achievers throughout history and found that these achievers were not born, they are developed. Each achiever worked to develop themselves in 8 attributes to becoming a great achiever. The attributes are:

Attribute 1: Responsible,

Attribute 2: Creator,

Attribute 3: Independent,

Attribute 4: Humble,

Attribute 5: Honest,

Attribute 6: Optimistic,

Attribute 7: Vision,

Attribute 8: Persistent.

Taylor gives examples throughout history of people who have lived these attributes telling their story of why they are remembered. I have decided to tell you about 8 people/couples who may not be as well-known but still have lived these principles to the fullest.

Attribute 1 : Responsible – Dan and Lisa Hawkins. Taking Responsibility for not only their own success but showing countless others that if you obey the laws of success over time you increase your freedom by increasing the number of choices you have. From auto mechanic/day care provider to independently community leader of thousands, in a world where it is common to pass the buck, this couple has excepted they are responsible to show people how to live the life the always wanted.

Attribute 2: Creator – Gary and Erika Severson. A creator looks for ways to add value. Gary and Erika Severson always look for ways to add value by lifting people up through edification. They are leaders of people and great achievers because when people are around them they feel better in their presence.

Attribute 3: Independent – Richard and Jammie Fisher. I have had first hand experience watching this couple in the time of crises and uncertainty, do the right thing. An independent thinker despite being mocked will think idependently and take initiative to always do the right thing.

Attribute 4: Humble – Corey & Amy Clark. Being a servant leader means helping a community have success while giving the credit away. This couple has quietly established themselves as leaders of large communities because they never stop learning to grow themselves, in-turn, that growth drives people to want to be part of them as leaders.

Attribute 5: Honest – John & Penny Graff. Throughout the years I have seen John and Penny exhibit integrity. When push came to shove the Graffs turned down security for the face of the unknown because it was the right thing to do. In times where doing what is right is not always rewarded right away, John and Penny have shown that people of integrity expect to be believed, and when they are not, they let time prove them right.

Attribute 6: Optimistic – George and Jill Guzzardo. Always an uplifter, George Guzzardo leads thousands of people because people want to around him for the value in them he creates. When adversity strikes one can choose to make excuses or find solutions. George Guzzardo has never been one to dwell in victum mentality, rather focusing on finding the silver lining.

Attribute 7: Vision – Orrin and Laurie Woodward. How does one go from broke, relationship-poor engineer to leadership guru creating a path for tens of thousands to change the world by affectively changing themselves? Vison! Thank you Orrin Woodward for having the vision to believe that one person can change the world!

Attribute 8: Persistent – Steve and Kelli Sager. From meager beginnings to an adult life of debt, excepting that they would probably have to live paycheck to paycheck for the rest of their lives. Steve and Kelli have proven that those who stay will be champions! Many admire the leadership of this couple because they have proven that they can take a gut shot and remain standing.

As we examine the attributes of achievers in our Life, I hope you have some that you can say have them. We all would love to hear about them and learn from their example.

Enjoy, Steve Leurquin

Building a Life Pipeline

Recently friend and Life Founder Dan Hawkins posted on his blog a parable explaining how to build pipelines. The concept seems simple enough. While watching this video I encourage you to think of how to apply this simple concept in other areas of life to not only simplify it but make it more productive.

Enjoy, Steve Leurquin 

Are you building your pipeline?

Hey Everyone,

I was thinking through what the LIFE business offers and came across this short video that explains the Parable of the Pipeline.

The LIFE Founders (Orrin Woodward, Chris Brady, Tim Marks, Claude Hamilton, George Guzzardo, Bill Lewis and my self) are doing their part to provide the best business to offer this kind of income and lifestyle to anyone willing to do the work.

In todays economy everyone should be investing in a self directed education and building a pipeline, why not join LIFE and do both!

God bless, Dan Hawkins

Motivation For Pushing Forward

The difference between going through life and living Life to the fullest is what drives us to our personal best for excellence. Not excellence for the recognition or the money but doing our personal best because it is our purpose that we were put on this Earth to do!

I enjoy this video on motivation because it reminds me to do my best every day pursuing my pasion, my purpose. It makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck every time I watch it as I usually play it right before I am about to go out to speak in front of people about going after their dreams. I hope you can use it a motivational reminder for doing your best everyday in whatever you do!

Enjoy, Steve Leurquin

Team Is Coming To Milwaukee

There is less than one week to go before the summer leadership convention for Team Life and things are being put in place for never before seen growth. The founders of Life Orrin Woodward, Chris Brady, Tim Marks, George Guzzardo, Claude Hamilton, Bill Lewis, and Dan Hawkins, will be in the house along with special guest speakers Oliver DeMille speaking on freedom and Mark Macdonald talking on fitness.

As we approach the kickoff Friday night I am shaking with excitement as I learn more about what will be laid out. I heard a Life Founder this past week say we are going to help a new person start their own business as cost effective as possible! (Unless you own a smart car, it’s a tank of gas!) With the first of the two conventions taking place as this writing is happening, I want to know what you are most looking forward to coming out of Milwaukee?! I look forward to seeing you all and I am excited for a group of people that are about to make a difference not only in their own lives but the world.

Steve Leurquin

The LIfe Team Community Explained

One of the founding couples of Life, Dan and Lisa Hawkins give an excellent description of what Life Team Community is and why the organization is exploding across the continent. Enjoy Dan’s most recent post on a company that is creating a whole new industry!  Steve Leurquin

 

What is the LIFE TEAM Community?

Filed under: Finance, Freedom, Leadership, LIFE — 19 Comments

July 11, 2012

The LIFE TEAM Community

The LIFE TEAM Business is growing across North America. Who is this leadership community and what is the purpose of LIFE Team?

What is LIFE?

LIFE is an innovative leadership company that has combined the best parts of four industries.

1. Home Based Business

2. Community Building

3. Leadership

4. Life Coaching

Home Based Businesses (HBB) are exploding. Riding on several trends that enhance it effectiveness, many men and women are working at home today. Mitch Renkow, economics specialist elaborates: Three key trends promise expanding opportunities for some small and home-based businesses while diminishing returns for others. They include:

1. Rapid advances in information and telecommunications technologies

2. An ever more integrated global economy

3. Changes in the shopping habits of consumers

Communities have been in decline for over fifty years. Author Jon Tyson writes:

From Wall Street traders to advertising executives, from nannies to MTV producers, it seems that in some fundamental way we are incurably communal. What’s ironic is that all of these people are living in New York City, surrounded by millions of people, yet feeling incredibly alone. Though they may feel like it, these people are not alone. This loss of community has in some ways become our collective experience of American life.

This relational disconnection was first identified and popularized in the year 2000 in Robert Putnam’s work Bowling Alone.

1. Simply put, he proposed that America was losing its sense of community, or its social capital — the reality that we are a part of “the whole,” and that we participate in small but significant ways to the greater good. He noticed “that we sign fewer petitions, belong to fewer organizations that meet, know our neighbors less, meet with friends less frequently, and even socialize with our families less often.”

2. Putnam went on to suggest that changes in work, family structure, age, suburban life, television, computers, women’s roles, and other factors have contributed to this decline.

One of LIFE’s major initiatives is to bring people together into a community of encouragement, unity, and growth. When a tide is rising it lifts all ships and LIFE’s goal is to help raise the tide by bringing people together in communities. When LIFE marries the best of Home Based Businesses and Community the results is communities where the people are rewarded for referring others into the community in a win-win fashion. Lead a little; bonus a little. However, Lead a lot; LIFE bonuses a lot. This allows people to choose their own level of commitment and bonuses.

Remember, in an HBB, you are in business for yourself, but in a community, you are not by yourself. In other words, the community meets people at their needs and helps them become better.

This is where leadership and personal development come in. LIFE is built around the internationally acclaimed leadership principles in Chris Brady andOrrin Woodward’s New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling bookLaunching a Leadership Revolution. Both Chris and Orrin were recognized as two of the Top 30 Leadership Gurus. They co-authored (Leadership and Liberty and Tidbits and Treasure, and L.I.F.E.) and solo authored (Rascal for Chrisand RESOLVED for Orrin) numerous top selling books. In addition, Orrin Woodward just won the 2011 IAB Leadership Award.

LIFE’s leadership pedigree is second to none. With leaders of this caliber, anyone can learn to lead and the community ensures the principles are taught and applied within the leadership growth groups. For example, reading a book is good, but it pales in comparison to living it within a growing community of like-minded people. This is what LIFE is – a community of people who desire to improve personally and professionally with the ability to own a home based business if so inclined.

What leadership materials does LIFE offer?

The LIFE series offers life skills in Family, Fitness, Freedom, Fun, Friends, and Finances. This a monthly subscription oF: 4 CDs and a book for $50. YOU heard it right Fifty bucks! Why so low? Because LIFE wants to reach people that the rest of the leadership field ignores. How many people can afford thousand of dollar seminars and multiple hundred dollar CD packs?

The Following category is served through the Launching a Leadership Revolution subscription which includes: 4 CDs and a book for $50. Yup another steal! Everyone can afford to be part of LIFE and begin associating with people who are growing and advancing.

Furthermore, for those interested in growing in the Faith F, the All Grace Outreach series. This is a non-denominational Biblical message and includes: 1 CD and 1 Book for $25. All corporate profits from the sale of this series goes to the All Grace Outreach charity to support numerous Christian charitable organizations.

Finally, LIFE coaching is by leaders with proven results within the community. LIFE believes that a certificate does not qualify someone for life coaching, but a life well lived does. Remember, in leadership, example isn’t everything; it’s the only thing. Based upon a person’s willingness to grow, they will receive mentoring at no additional cost, since everyone wins when the community grows.

When LIFE combines these four trends into the TEAM community which has weekly growth groups and a monthly seminar, we have a recipe for long-term success.

Why join LIFE?

Since a person cannot advance beyond his or her personal leadership ability, when his or her leadership improves, life improves. The bad news is that leadership across North America is in real trouble, with government debt rising, companies struggling, jobs melting away, and character in decline in nearly every profession.

The good news, however, is that LIFE is a plan to restore character based leadership at the grass roots level. Instead of waiting for politicians to fix the mess, let’s develop our leadership and fix it ourselves. Imagine a business where you are paid to improve yourself and others? Crazy but true? Life has thousands of satisfied customers and members. Check out one of our leadership groups for yourself and see the LIFE difference.

How do I build LIFE?

When a person joins LIFE, he joins a leadership growth group (LGG). Leaders who have more experience and results help get you started by reading, listening, and associating. By attending the weekly LGG, you will learn from top leaders on principles for personal and professional success. For those who desire to go from being part of the community to a group leader, they can start their own home-based business. In order to become a leader, one must first be an apprentice and learn how to lead one of the growth groups.

Here is how LIFE and TEAM break down to help a person take advantage of the four industries:

1. LIFE teaches leadership and personal development

2. Team teaches community building principles

Where does LIFE meet?

Because LIFE is home-based, we start in people’s homes. Bigger meetings are in hotel conference rooms and the larger meetings fill stadiums across America. Leadership growth groups join together for larger monthly seminars which combine several times a year for major conventions.

Here is a great video by LIFE Founder and best selling author Chris Brady that helps explain this powerful opportunity!

God bless,

Dan Hawkins

 

 

• Share this:
• Share